Composite sampler method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for sampling the liquid flowing through a conduit wherein the liquid is directed by a valve into a vertical standpipe and flows out of its open upper end. The liquid is confined by a surrounding container which communicates by a conduit with the ultimate destination. When a sample is desired the valve establishes an alternate communication between the standpipe and a sample collection vessel. Means are provided for varying the capacity of the standpipe.

United States Patent 1191 Collins, Jr.

[ COMPOSITE SAMPLER METHOD AND APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Henry R. Collins, Jr., 4507 Hemlock, Baytown, Tex. 77520 [22] Filed: Feb. 28, 1972 [211 App]. No.: 229,841

52 us. (:1. 73/422 TC [51] Int. Cl. G0ln 1/20 [58] Field of Search 73/421 R, 421 B, 422 R, 73/422 TC [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,183,338 12/1939 Slough 73/422 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 673,751 3/1939 Germany; 73/421 B 1451 Mar. 26, 1974 Primary Examiner-S. Clement Swisher Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pravel, Wilson & Matthews 15 1 ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for sampling the liquid flowing through a conduit wherein the liquid is directed by a valve into a vertical standpipe and flows out of its open upper end. The liquid is confined by a surrounding container which communicates by a conduit with the ultimate destination. When a sample is desired the valve establishes an alternate communication between the standpipe and a sample collection vessel. Means are provided for varying the capacity of the standpipe.

8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures COMPOSITE SAMPLER METHOD AND- APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for collecting samples from a fluid stream.

2. Description of Prior Art The prior art has attempted several techniques for extracting samples from fluid process streams.

Certain apparatus, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,282,1l3; 2,636,387; 2,637,211; and 3,504,549 used pumps and other complex structure to extract a sample from the process stream. Other structure, such as that of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,156,120 and 2,995,037, have used a vacuum to extract the sample from the process stream.

Other prior art apparatus, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,656,725; 3,201,995 and 2,608,866 have attempted to regulate the amount of sample extracted by use of a second fluid, such as mercury or brine, and thus have required extra valves and other equipment to handle the second fluid.

Other prior art apparatus has involved specialized structure according to the particular fluid, such as that of U.S. Pat. No. 2,968,183, to handle heated radioactive material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention provides a new and improved method and apparatus for collecting composite samples from a fluid sample stream flowing in a conduit system between an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit by receiving in a sampler a predetermined amount of the fluid, permitting excess fluid to overflow and pass into the outlet conduit through an outlet, and controlling the direction of fluid flow in the conduit system with a valve so that normal flow is from the fluid conduit into the sampler, with periodic draining of the sampler through a valve into a collecting receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view, taken partly in crosssection, of an apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an elevation view, taken partly in crosssection, of another apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT .may be used to gather a composite sample from any fluid sample stream, including a slurry, flowing in a conduit system.

The conduit system S includes an inlet conduit 10 receiving the fluid sample stream from a suitable conventional fluid pumping means. The inlet conduit 10 may be a conduit drawing off a small portion of a process stream. The conduit l'may also be a conduit in the process stream itself, if desired. A throttling valve 12 is connected in conduit 10 for flow rate regulation and like purposes. A portion 10a of the inlet conduit 10 conveys the fluid sample stream from the throttling valve 12 to a first port 15a of a control valve 15.

The control valve 15 is shown as a ball valve. However, it should be understood that a Skinner valve or other suitable valve may be used, if desired.

The control valve 15 controls the direction of fluid flow in the conduit system S, as will be set forth hereinbelow. A second port 15b of the control valve 15 is in fluid communication through a fluid conduit 150 with the first port 15a. When the control valve 15 is in a first 5 operating position (FIG. 1), the fluid sample stream in the inlet conduit is permitted to flow from the first port a through the conduit 150 to the port 15b of the control valve 15 to a sampler inlet conduit 17 of a standpipe sampler 18. v

The standpipe sampler 18 further includes an upwardly extending standpipe 20 mounted in a socket 21. The socket 21 is mounted with a support plate 22 by welding or other suitable techniques. The support plate 22 is mounted on a suitable surface 24 in the facility using the apparatus A of the present invention.

The standpipe sampler 18 receives a predetermined amount of the fluid from the conduit S for the composite sample being gathered in the apparatus A. The standpipe 20 is of a predetermined height and volumetric capacity in order to receive a portion of the predetermined amount of the sample stream therein. Another portion of the predetermined amountof sample from the sample stream is received in the sampler inlet conduit 17, with the amount of such portion determined by the intemal volumetric capacity of such conduit.

When the valve 15 is a ball valve, the remainder of the predetermined amount of sample is received in the fluid conduit 15c thereof. Depending onthe type of valve used as the valve 15, the sampler conduit 17 and standpipe 20 may receivethe total predetermined amount of sample of the sampler 18, if desired.

Fluid in excess of the predetermined amount contained in the sampler 18 is permitted to overflow from an opening in an upper end 200 of the standpipe 20. An

outlet means M including a fluid container 26 and an outlet drain 30 mounted with a support 28 on the support plate 22 conducts the overflow fluid from the sampler 18 to an outlet conduit 32 of the fluid conduit system S. Thus, with the control valve 15 in the first operating position, the fluid sample stream flows from'inlet conduit 10 through the throttling valve 12 and the control valve 15 to the sampler standpipe 20.

The sampler 18 receives a predetermined amount of the fluid sample stream in accordance with the dimensions of standpipe 20 and conduit 17 and pennits the fluid in excess of the predetermined amount to overflow into the fluid container 26 and pass through the outlet drain 30 into the outlet conduit 32 of the conduit system S for drainage or other purposes.

An actuator solenoid 35 or other suitable valve actuating means is operably connected with the control valve 15. The solenoid35 controls the valve 15 maintaining same in a position permitting flow in the conduit system S from the inlet conduit 10 through the conduit 17 and standpipe 20 through container 26 to the outlet conduit 32. The solenoid 35 moves the control valve to a second operating position (FIG. 2)

when activated by a timer T.

The control valve 15 when in the second operating position (FIG. 2), drains the predeterminded amount of fluid therefrom and from the conduit 17 and the stanpipe 20 by permitting the fluid to flow through the second port 15b to a collector conduit 38. The collector conduit 38 conveys the fluid drained from the valve 15, standpipe 20 and the conduit 17 into a sample receptacle' or beaker 40. The beaker 40 collects the drained, predetermined amount of fluid from the sampler 18 and accordingly gathers a composite sample of the fluid sample stream flowing through the apparatus A.

The time interval between periodic activations of the solenoid 35 by the timer T and the duration of the interval for which the solenoid 35 is actuated in order to move the valve 15 to the second operating position is determined in accordance with the amount of fluid to be gathered from the fluid sample stream over the sample gathering cycle of the apparatus A.

If desired, a suitable electronic circuit, electrically connected with a flow rate sensor in the inlet conduit 10 or in some other suitable conduit in the process stream may adjust the time between operating cycles, and the duration of the operating cycles of the solenoid 35, in accordance with the sample stream flow rate, if desired. Further, a process control computer may perform the function of controlling and regulating the time and duration of the operation of the solenoid 35 in accordance with the process stream flow rate or other factors of the fluid sample stream, if desired.

With the apparatus A of the present invention predetermined amounts of a fluid sample stream are gathered at periodic intervals in order to obtain a composite sample without requiring the cumbersome and expensive equipment and techniques of the prior art.

The fluid container 26 is shown as an open container. However, when the fluid sample stream is a fluid with a low vapor pressure, the container 26 may be a closed container. Suitable pressure regulation means are then used between container 26 and receptacle 40 to prevent vapor pressure or other problems impeding transfer of the sample from the sampler 18 to the receptacle An alternative sampler standpipe 120 (FIG. 2), adjusts the predetermined amount of fluid held therein in order to adjust the amount of sample gathered by the apparatus A. In the embodiment of the apparatus A shown in FIG. 2, like structure to that of FIG. 1 performing a like function bears a like reference numeral.

The standpipe 120 is conical in configuration and has a predetermined height and volume in order to receive a predetermined amount of the fluid from the sample stream for the composite sample being gathered through the valve 15, conduit 38 and receptacle 40.

A plug member 50 is mounted in the standpipe 120 and spaced therefrom. The plug member 50 is movably mounted with respect to the standpipe 120 in order to adjust the spacing between the plug member 50 and the standpipe 120 in order to vary the predetermined amount of fluid received in the standpipe 120. The plug member 50 is mounted at an upper surface 50a with a threaded rod 51.

A wing-nut 52, or other suitable internally threaded means, is mounted with the threaded rod 51 on an op- Although the plug member 50 and the standpipe are illustrated in the accompanying drawings as having conical surfaces, it should be understood that the surfaces of the plug member 50 and sampler standpipe 120 may have other configurations to vary the predetermined amount of fluid held in the standpipe 120. For example, since'the flow of fluid through a conduit generally exhibits a square-law characteristic with respect to fluid velocity, the outer surface of the plug member 50 and the wall of the sampler standpipe 120 may have parabolic configurations in order that upward or downward movement of the plug member 50 with respect to the sampler standpipe 120 for a predetermined distance causes a square-law characteristic variation in the volume between the plug member 50 and the sampler standpipe 120, due to such movement. In this manner, the predetermined amount of fluid received in the sampler standpipe 120 may be linearly adjusted in accordance with the velocity of the fluid sample stream. Other configurations of the plug member 50 and sam-' pler standpipe 120 may also be used, if desired, in accordance with with other characteristics of flow of the sample stream, such as temperature, pressure, and the like.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

L'An apparatus for gathering a composite sample from a fluid sample stream flowing in a conduit system between an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, comprising: i

a. sampler means mounted in the conduit system for receiving a predetermined amount of the fluid for the composite sample, said sampler means permitting fluid in excess of said predetermined amount to overflow;

b. outlet means for conducting the overflow fluid from said sampler means to the outlet conduit said outlet means comprising a fluid container mounted around said sampler means and having means therewith for connection into said outlet conduit;

0. valve means for controlling the direction of fluid flow in the conduit system, said valve means having a first operating position permitting fluid flow from the inlet conduit into said sampler means, and a second operating position draining said predetermined amount of fluid from said sampler means; and

d. receptacle means for collecting said drained predetermined amount of fluid from said sampler means wherein a composite sample may be gathered.

2. The structure of claim 1, further including:

means for controlling said valve means.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein said means for controlling said valve means comprises:

a. actuator means for moving said valve means to said second operating position when activated; and

b. timer means for periodically activating said actuator means.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein:

a. said sampler means comprises a standpipe connected with said valve means for receiving fluid from the inlet conduit; and

b. said outlet means comprises a fluid container having said standpipe mounted therein and having means therewith for connection into the outlet conduit.

5. The structure of claim 1, further including:

means for adjusting the predetermined amount of fluid held in said sampler means.

6. The structure of claim 5, wherein:

a. said sampler means comprises a standpipe connected with said valve means for receiving fluid from the inlet conduit; and

b. said means for adjusting comprises a plug member mounted in said standpipe and spaced therefrom,

means for controlling the spacing of said plug mem-.

her with respect'to said standpipe. 8. A method of gathering a composite sample from a fluid flowing in a conduit system between an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, comprising the steps of:

a. adjusting a sampler to receive a predetermined amount of flowing fluid;

ing fluid in the sampler;

c. permitting fluid in excess of the predetermined amount to overflow the sampler, d. conducting the overflow fluid to the outlet cone. draining the predetermined amount of fluid from the sampler; and f. collecting the predetermined amount of fluid from the sampler.

b. receiving said predetermined amount of the flow- 

1. An apparatus for gathering a composite sample from a fluid sample stream flowing in a conduit system between an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, comprising: a. sampler means mounted in the conduit system for receiving a predetermined amount of the fluid for the composite sample, said sampler means permitting fluid in excess of said predetermined amount to overflow; b. outlet means for conducting the overflow fluid from said sampler means to the outlet conduit said outlet means comprising a fluid container mounted around said sampler means and having means therewith for connection into said outlet conduit; c. valve means for controlling the direction of fluid flow in the conduit system, said valve means having a first operating position permitting fluid flow from the inlet conduit into said sampler means, and a second operating position draining said predetermined amount of fluid from said sampler means; and d. receptacle means for collecting said drained predetermined amount of fluid from said sampler means wherein a composite sample may be gathered.
 2. The structure of claim 1, further including: means for controlling said valve means.
 3. The structure of claim 2, wherein said means for controlling said valve means comprises: a. actuator means for moving said valve means to said second operating position when activated; and b. timer means for periodically activating said actuator means.
 4. The structure of claim 1, wherein: a. said sampler means comprises a standpipe connected with said valve means for receiving fluid from the inlet conduit; and b. said outlet means comprises a fluid container having said standpipe mounted therein and having means therewith for connection into the outlet conduit.
 5. The structure of claim 1, further including: means for adjusting the predetermined amount of fluid held in said sampler means.
 6. The structure of claim 5, wherein: a. said sampler means comprises a standpipe connected with said valve means for receiving fluid from the inlet conduit; and b. said means for adjusting comprises a plug member mounted in said standpipe and spaced therefrom, said plug member being movably mounted with respect to said standpipe to vary the predetermined amount of fluid therein.
 7. The structure of claim 6, wherein said means for adjusting includes: means for controlling the spacing of said plug member with respect to said standpipe.
 8. A method of gathering a composite sample from a fluid flowing in a conduit system between an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, comprising the steps of: a. adjusting a sampler to receive a predetermined amount of flowing fluid; b. receiving said predetermined amount of the flowing fluid in the sampler; c. permitting fluid in excess of the predetermined amount to overflow the sampler; d. conducting the overflow fluid to the outlet conduit; e. draining the predetermined amount of fluid from the sampler; and f. collecting the predetermined amount of fluid from the sampler. 